Catechumens
My foundation readings

Reading 9 of 12

Learning about prayer

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Is there any other means of obtaining God's grace than the Sacraments?

There is another means of obtaining God's grace, and it is prayer.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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A brief starting point for building a faithful habit of personal prayer.

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Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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Practical encouragement for prayer amid work, family and a crowded day.

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How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

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An introduction to turning attentive Scripture reading into prayer.

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Media resources are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The cited Church sources provide general comparison context; they are not exact support for every item in a publisher collection.

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

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Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 276, question 303.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

What is prayer?

Prayer is the lifting up of our minds and hearts to God to adore Him, to thank Him for His benefits, to ask His forgiveness, and to beg of Him all the graces we need whether for soul or body.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

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Related recordings

Watch or listen

Browse all media

Watch · beginner

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

A brief starting point for building a faithful habit of personal prayer.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Watch · beginner

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

Practical encouragement for prayer amid work, family and a crowded day.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Watch · beginner

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

An introduction to turning attentive Scripture reading into prayer.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Players connect to YouTube only after you choose Play. Publisher collections open on a separate site. Listening, viewing or reading is optional.

Verify media sources and selection

Media resources are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The cited Church sources provide general comparison context; they are not exact support for every item in a publisher collection.

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

If a media item and a cited Church text appear to conflict, follow the Church text and report the item for review.

Read the original page here
Open and keep this answer
Verify original page, edition and approval

Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 276, question 304.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

How should we pray?

We should pray: first, with attention; second, with a sense of our own helplessness and dependence upon God; third, with a great desire for the graces we beg of God; fourth, with trust in God's goodness; fifth, with perseverance.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

Verify
Related recordings

Watch or listen

Browse all media

Watch · beginner

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

A brief starting point for building a faithful habit of personal prayer.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Watch · beginner

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

Practical encouragement for prayer amid work, family and a crowded day.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Watch · beginner

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

An introduction to turning attentive Scripture reading into prayer.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Players connect to YouTube only after you choose Play. Publisher collections open on a separate site. Listening, viewing or reading is optional.

Verify media sources and selection

Media resources are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The cited Church sources provide general comparison context; they are not exact support for every item in a publisher collection.

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

If a media item and a cited Church text appear to conflict, follow the Church text and report the item for review.

Read the original page here
Open and keep this answer
Verify original page, edition and approval

Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 278–279, question 307.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

Which are the prayers most recommended to us?

The prayers most recommended to us are the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, the Apostles' Creed, the Confiteor, and the Acts of Faith, Hope, Love, and Contrition.

Kinkead’s explanation of the Baltimore Catechism · approved historical edition.

Verify
Related recordings

Watch or listen

Browse all media

Watch · beginner

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

A brief starting point for building a faithful habit of personal prayer.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Watch · beginner

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

Practical encouragement for prayer amid work, family and a crowded day.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Watch · beginner

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz

Verify

An introduction to turning attentive Scripture reading into prayer.

Text alternative and playback help

Use the related Church text in the source notes below for a reading alternative. Captions, transcripts and other access options vary by recording; check the publisher.

Open the publisher’s player (opens in a new tab)

Players connect to YouTube only after you choose Play. Publisher collections open on a separate site. Listening, viewing or reading is optional.

Verify media sources and selection

Media resources are editorial selections, not texts carrying an imprimatur. The cited Church sources provide general comparison context; they are not exact support for every item in a publisher collection.

Tips for Praying

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

Fr. Mike’s Tips for Praying as a Busy Person

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

How Do You Pray with the Bible?

Ascension Presents · Fr. Mike Schmitz · exact title, publisher and access checked 2026-09-11.

If a media item and a cited Church text appear to conflict, follow the Church text and report the item for review.

Read the original page here
Open and keep this answer
Verify original page, edition and approval

Thomas L. Kinkead; sixth edition; Benziger Brothers, copyright 1891. Printed page 283, question 308.

Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York; nihil obstat D. J. McMahon; 1891-09-05.

The words are transcribed from the approved edition; line wrapping is normalized. This is a concise historical catechism answer, not a complete treatment of every related question. Original English, including older terms, is retained.

Read the original page and surrounding explanation here · See the printed imprimatur

Open Pray to choose a prayer resource.

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This is a selection from the approved historical English catechism, not a complete curriculum or an assessment of your personal circumstances. Edition details accompany each passage.